Review: Yellowstone Limited Edition Blend of Straight Bourbons 2025
On March 1, 1872, President Ulysses S. Grant signed the Yellowstone National Park Protection Act into law, creating Yellowstone as the first national park in the United States — and the world. A symbol of American heritage, natural beauty, and enduring wonder, Yellowstone National Park quickly became a national treasure.
Later that same year, inspired by the majesty of the park, J.B. Dant created and bottled Yellowstone Bourbon at the Cold Springs Distillery near Gethsemane, Kentucky. From its inception, the bourbon was designed to honor the grandeur of America’s first national park — a place where untamed wilderness, timeless beauty, and bold character meet.
Decades later, under the stewardship of Owensboro’s Glenmore Distilleries, Yellowstone Bourbon rose to prominence, becoming Kentucky’s top-selling bourbon in the 1960s and earning the title of “The Greatest American Whiskey.” Yet, like many in the bourbon world, Yellowstone faced headwinds in the 1970s as the industry declined and the brand faded from its former glory.
That changed in 2015 when brothers Stephen and Paul Beam revived the Yellowstone legacy at Limestone Branch Distillery in Lebanon, Kentucky. That same year, they introduced the Yellowstone Limited Edition, ushering in a new era for the brand.
In September 2025, Limestone Branch marked a significant milestone with the release of the 10-Year Anniversary Edition of Yellowstone Limited Edition — a decade in the making. Fittingly, this commemorative release features bourbon aged for 10 full years, honoring the passage of time.
For the first time in the history of Yellowstone Limited Edition, the 2025 Anniversary Edition brings together bourbons distilled not only in Kentucky but also in Indiana. This special blend unites three mashbills from Limestone Branch Distillery and Ross & Squibb Distillery, both part of the Luxco family. It’s a grand step forward — one that expands the distiller’s palette while staying true to the essence of the Yellowstone name.
Just as the park itself is a meeting place of geothermal marvels, rugged landscapes, and awe-inspiring vistas, this anniversary blend is a confluence of heritage, innovation, and craftsmanship.
Does the 2025 Yellowstone Limited Edition rise to the challenge and match the splendor of the national park whose name it bears? There’s only one way to find out. Cheers to a decade of excellence — and to what lies ahead.
Yellowstone Limited Edition Blend of Straight Bourbons 2025 Review
The nose is immediately engaging, led by notes of creamy custard and sweet caramel. The sweetness carries forward as candied orange peel adds a touch of citrus zest. Toasted marshmallow soon follows, bringing a slightly smoky dimension that anchors the aroma. After a few minutes in the glass, everything comes together in a way that strongly recalls an orange creamsicle. It’s a nose that draws you in and raises expectations for the sip to come.
On the palate, the sweetness takes on greater complexity with flavors of dulce de leche and vanilla. Midway through, tannins make their entrance and work in harmony with the flavor of southern pralines, offering a welcome contrast. As that nutty sweetness fades, a note of white peach enters the scene, adding a soft floral lift without disrupting the balance. The mouthfeel is medium-bodied, offering enough presence to carry the experience from start to finish without overwhelming the senses.
The finish opens with a continuation of the floral white peach, which gradually shifts into honeysuckle. From there, the profile moves into darker territory as dark chocolate mingles with black plum. The final note — a hint of cassia — adds a well-placed spice.
Yellowstone Limited Edition 2025 is a finely constructed bourbon that showcases thoughtful blending. The combination of three mashbills creates a profile that is both flavorful and composed. At $100, it delivers a rewarding experience that justifies the price. Were it not a limited release, this is the kind of bottle that could easily earn a permanent spot on the shelf.
105 proof.
A / $100
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